Big Ten officials were given strict marching orders when it comes to officiating the "Kenny Bell Rule" this fall.

This past weekend, the Big Ten officials gathered just outside of Chicago for their annual summit.

Roughly 200 officials from the Big Ten, the Mid-American Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference attended the three-day clinic where - for the second year in a row - the issue was player safety.

Last year, officials were schooled and instructed to more strictly enforce infractions such as targeting defenseless players with a 15-yard penalty. This year, players and teams won't get off so easily.

According to the Big Ten Network's Tom Dienhart, who attended the clinic, Big Ten officials coordinator Bill Carollo clearly stated that the point of emphasis for officials this fall will be blows targeted above the shoulders at defenseless players.

"If it happens," Carollo told Dienhart, "the player will be automatically ejected from the game."

Targeting and Initiating Contact With the Crown of the Helmet (Rule 9-1-3) and Targeting and Initiating Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player (Rule 9-1-4), were introduced to the NCAA rule book in 2008. The ejection policy is the new part.

A receiver attempting to catch a pass, or one who has completed a catch and

has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier.

A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the

return.

A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick.

A player on the ground.

A player obviously out of the play.

A player who receives a blind-side block.

A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress

has been stopped.

A quarterback any time after a change of possession

"A player who receives a blind-side block" was added to the definition of a defenseless player in 2013.

Officials were shown videos as part of their enforcement instruction. One hit in particular used to exemplify the new policy was the infamous monster block laid by Nebraska wide receiver Kenny Bell on Wisconsin defensive back Devin Gaulden during last year's Big Ten Championship game.

As seen in the video below, Bell's hit received a 15-yard penalty and negated a Nebraska touchdown. In fact, some are even referring to the new rule for NCAA football in 2013-2014 as the "Kenny Bell Rule". This coming fall, that same hit will result in an automatic ejection (in addition to the 15-yard penalty and automatic first down).

While the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the new football rule in March, this past weekend was the first opportunity for Big Ten officials to be properly instructed in how to enforce it.

For example, if a player is ejected for targeting a defenseless player in the first half, he will be ejected for the remainder of the game. If, however, the ejection happens in the second half or during overtime, the player will miss the remainder of the game as well as the first half of the next week's game.

"In an effort to address concerns when one of these plays is erroneously called on the field, the ejection is reviewable through video replay," Dienhart wrote. "The replay official must have conclusive evidence that a player should not be ejected to overturn the call on the field. But, as most officials said at this event, the likelihood of a booth reversal is slim.

"A postgame conference review remains part of the rule, and conferences retain their ability to add to a sanction. The committee will also allow a postgame review to reduce a suspension if warranted. But the conference office doesn’t want to be involved in this process, if possible. In fact, the Big Ten office has given very direct orders to the Big Ten officials to adjudicate all matters on Saturdays. The league office doesn’t want to have to deal with these matters on Mondays."

While everyone from coaches to fans are fully behind player safety, the new officiating motto will surely make some uneasy.

"When in doubt, throw him out." Those are the marching orders of #B1G officials this fall when it comes to targeting defenseless players.

Other football rule changes approved by the NCAA for the 2013-2014 include:

To add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock stoppage is because of injury.

To establish three seconds as the minimum amount of time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is only time for the offense to run one more play.

To require a player that changes numbers during the game to report this to the referee, who will announce it.

To preclude multiple players from the same team from wearing the same uniform number (for example, two quarterbacks on the same team are not allowed to have the same number).

To allow the use of electronic communication by the on-field officiating crew (the practice was used successfully on an experimental basis by the Southeastern Conference). This is a permissive rule and not a requirement.

To allow instant replay to adjust the clock at the end of each quarter. Previously, this provision was in place only for the end of each half.

To clarify uniform rules as follows: “Jerseys must have clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in height front and back, respectively, and be of one solid color that itself is clearly in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any border around the number.” This rule goes into effect for Football Bowl Subdivision teams in 2013. Football Championship Subdivision, Division II and Division III teams will have until 2014 before the rule becomes effective.

The intent of the rule is admirable, but the first time a player is ejected from a game is sure to be controversial.